San Diego Public Library ▬ San Diego Public Library Foundation Announces Technological Access Initiatives

San Diego Public Library Foundation Announces Technological Access Initiatives

READ San Diego

Times of San Diego: 10.26.2020 by Christine Huard 

The San Diego Public Library Foundation announced a series of initiatives Monday aimed at expanding technological access for the county’s most vulnerable residents amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The foundation has funded three initiatives to provide computer access for those who lack broadband internet during a time when the pandemic has made it a necessity for school and work.

According to the foundation, about 100,000 children lack internet access, primarily among those living in the southern and northeastern parts of the county.

One initiative expands on a program to provide technology that students need for remote learning, which began by giving out 240 Chromebooks.

Computers have also been donated to participants in the San Diego Public Library’s Career Online High School program and its READ/San Diego adult literacy program. The library foundation said both programs lost access to computer labs when the pandemic led to library closures.  READ MORE ➤➤

Become a Volunteer!

READ/San Diego is a free literacy instruction service for adults 18 years and older. This award winning program has become a model for the country. It is staffed with literacy professionals, who work with community organizations and coordinate the efforts of volunteer reading tutors to teach adults to read and write, and improve literacy in San Diego

If you want to make a difference, please take a look at our Volunteer Opportunities.

Phone: 619-238-6603

Fax: 619-533-3217

Email: readstaff@sandiego.gov

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 13

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old

(college level entry)

 

 

Santa Monica Library :: Literacy Education for Adults & Families via Seascape

Literacy Education for Adults & Families

Seascape: Sep/Oct 2019 pp 4-5

The Library’s Literacy Education for Adults & Families (LEAF) program includes literacy services for all ages. For more information on any of these programs call the Main Library at 310.458.8600, stop by any Library location.

ADULT LITERACY TUTORING

Volunteer literacy tutors work one-on-one with adult learners in a library setting. Tutors meet with learners once or twice per week to work on learning goals in one- to two-hour sessions.

CAREER ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL

The Library offers scholarships for this program, which provides adult students the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and a career certificate.

COMPUTER CLASSES

The Library offers free beginner, intermediate and advanced instruction on various topics.

CONNECTED FAMILIES EVENTS

Play sessions with high-tech and low-tech activities to promote computational thinking, spark creativity and encourage family togetherness. For families with children ages 4-12.

DIGITAL LITERACY FOR YOUTH

A variety of workshops that help young people develop digital skills. Tech & U (ages 8-12) focuses on being safe and ethical online. CoderDojo (ages 8-17) teaches kids and teens computer science and coding. 3D Printing Workshops (ages 8 and up) is where kids and teens learn to create designs for 3D printing.

DIGITAL LITERACY FOR ADULTS

A variety of programs that provide adults the opportunity to develop digital skills. Programs include Appy Hour, a hands-on assistance with using a personal computing device; Computer Skills Classes, is instruction on a variety of computer topics; HTML/CSS, are workshops on how to use HTML/ CSS to create a website; Open Labs, are informal sessions for exploring virtual reality, 3D printing and other emerging technologies.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) CLASSES

An ongoing series taught by SMMUSD Adult Education Center instructors. Students must be 18 years or older. Enrollment is through the Adult Education Center. Contact Olga Saucedo at 310.664.6222, ext. 76203 to enroll.

L.E.A.R.N. HOMEWORK HELP

Free homework help and reading comprehension skills-building for students grades 1 through 8. Volunteers work with students one-on-one for 20-minute sessions. L.E.A.R.N. is a drop-in program. No registration required.

READING-2-GO PROGRAM

For families with children ages 1-4. Participants receive a rotation of themed kits containing books, music and educational toys, training with a librarian, and weekly tips on making reading easy and fun texted to your smartphone. Kits are available in English, Spanish and Amharic.

WALK-IN TUTORING

Friendly volunteer tutors provide help with basic reading and writing, as well as computer skills such as using the internet, opening and using an email account and filling out online forms or applications.  READ MORE >>

Upland Library :: Literacy Computer Lab

Literacy Computer Lab

Upland Library: 7.28.2017

We are excited to announce that our Adult Literacy Program has been selected as a Community Impact Partner with the Inland Empire United Way. We are grateful to have received a grant that help us fulfill our goal of starting a literacy computer lab.

Since its start in 1989, the completely grant-funded Adult Literacy Program has successfully impacted the lives of over 1,000 individual adult learners with the help. For more information, or to volunteer as a tutor, please contact the Literacy Office at (909) 931-4211.

The Literacy Office is located on the lower level of the restored historical Carnegie Cultural Center, at 123 D Street, Upland, CA 91786, next door to the Upland Public Library.

Altadena Library :: Bob Lucas Memorial Branch Literacy News

Bob Lucas Memorial Branch :: Literacy News

CONNECT*: November 2016

Our adult ESL students are enthusiastically learning about computers with bilingual computer instruction from staff members, Kelly and Modesta. For many of the students, it is the first-time working on a computer. As part of the class curriculum, the students learn the basics of using a computer, sign up for e-mail accounts, and learn how to access the Internet. The computer class meets twice a week and runs for 4 weeks.

If you are interested in our ESL class or the bilingual computer class, send us an e-mail or call 626 798-8338.

Redlands Library :: Technology Enhances Redlands Adult Literacy Program

Technology enhances Redlands Adult Literacy Program

Redlands Daily Facts: 10.17.2015 by Dottie Pokolak, adult literacy coordinator A.K. Smiley Public Library

Technology has become an essential part of our daily lives. We rely on computers, tablets and smart phones to communicate with family and friends, keep up on the latest news, apply for jobs and even do our banking.

The ability to use the various electronic devices that are available to us is integral to every area of our lives. Perhaps we have even grown to take for granted the ability to send an email or do our shopping online.

However, for some in our community, technology and access to the Internet are just as much of an obstacle in life as learning to read and write.

The Redlands Adult Literacy Program is committed to helping those in the community who desire to improve their reading and writing in English. In tandem with that, the program seeks to bridge the technology divide by including computer literacy as a key component of the program.

By offering technology services to those with limited computer access, the program can help participants begin to realize the benefit that learning these skills provides.

This technology initiative is supported with the enthusiasm of a group of volunteers called tech coaches. These tutors are trained to assist learners in accessing the various technology resources the program provides. They meet with learners to provide support as they use their new technology skills.  READ MORE !

Redlands Library : : Adult Literacy Program receives grant for computer workshops

Redlands Adult Literacy Program receives grant for computer workshops

Redlands Daily Facts: 2.07.2015 by Dottie Podolak, Adult Literacy coordinator at the A.K. Smiley Public Library.

Imagine not being able to read and write. Most of us cannot fathom the challenge this would pose in our everyday lives. However, the situation is real.

Right here in our community, there are those who do not have adequate reading and writing skills to write a note to their child’s teacher or read personal medical information. Whatever the reason might be for a particular learner not attaining literacy skills, the Redlands Adult Literacy Program exists to meet this critical need.

With a dedicated group of volunteers, the Adult Literacy staff supports anyone older than 18 with his or her goal to learn or improve reading and writing in English. Currently Redlands Adult Literacy serves more than 80 learners by pairing them with well-trained tutors.

Meeting weekly for instruction in English, our participants are able to achieve their personal goals. Their goals vary from finding employment, furthering their education or being able to fully participate in their children’s schooling. This, in turn, benefits our community by increasing employment, improving health and supporting families.

Recently, the Redlands Adult Literacy Program received The American Dream Starts @ your library grant. This grant is funded by the American Library Association and Dollar General.  READ MORE !

Imperial County Library - International Literacy Day promotes computer, language tutoring for residents

International Literacy Day promotes computer, language tutoring for residents

Imperial Valley Press: 9.09.2014 by Krista Daly

Holtville resident Guadalupe Charles had never turned on a computer before Monday.

After an hour-long one-on-one tutoring session at the Holtville Meyer Memorial Branch of the Imperial County Free Library, he knew the basics such as how to use the mouse and navigate through the computer to get online and use different websites. Charles was just one resident learning computer literacy on International Literacy Day.

“Literacy is not just Spanish or English,” library volunteer Thomas Rose said. “It ties in with adult literacy if you’re computer-illiterate.”

Rose said he has been teaching people in their 50s or 60s computer skills because they want to learn how to use it for their everyday lives. This includes ordering things online and sending e-mails to family or friends.

“We are now in the computer age, and I need to learn,” said Troy Spore, who has been in tutoring lessons for about four months. “I’ve picked up quite a bit, but there’s still a lot to learn.”

County Librarian Connie Barrington said literacy is a crucial issue in the Valley.

“We’ve got hundreds … of people who want to improve their reading, writing and conversations in English,” she said.

As a volunteer tutor herself, she said it’s “literally the most rewarding thing” she has done. Volunteers are desperately needed for the literacy program, she said, which can make such a difference in people’s lives.  READ MORE !

Computer Science Education Week: Dec 9-15

Computer Science Education Week
December 9 -15

Computer literacy key to middle class jobs in California
California Economic Summit: 9.19.2013 by Matthew Grant Anson

If you pull out your iPhone and ask Siri if a dog can jump over a house, chances are it’s just going to direct you to a kennel. So says a new paper from economists Frank Levy and Richard Murnane entitled “Dancing with Robots: Human Skills for ComputerizedWork.”

The general consensus has been that the rise of technology and globalization has hollowed out the middle class as the jobs they’ve historically relied upon increasingly employ computers over humans. But all is not lost. While computers have certainly taken the reins in some respects, Levy and Murnane both stress the fact that computers still don’t match up with humans when it comes to problem solving abilities, as shown by their iPhone example. Humans still come with abilities that computers, at least right now, can’t measure up against – but these skills need to be coaxed out of people by tweeking our education system.


“The most important skill is to learn how to learn efficiently,” Murnane said recently in a webinar on their paper presented by the Hewlett Foundation. “Very few of us are going to be able to earn a decent living doing the same thing decade after decade. The world of work is changing rapidly, and people are going to have to learn.”


Most importantly, people are going to need to learn a new kind of literacy. “Back in 1965 if you learned to read well enough to follow directions, there were a great many jobs in the U.S. that paid a reasonable wage,” Murnane said. “Those are the easiest kinds of jobs to compertize or to send to lower wage countries. Reading is still important, but the definitions for literacy have dramatically increased.”


Not only does literacy now include being able to read directions, says Murnane, but one must also be able to do a web search and be able to make sense of the millions of responses to a query.  READ MORE !

#CSEdWeek promotes the importance of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, and is expected to engage millions of students in hands-on computer programming and coding activities.

Computer science is a foundational field for every 21st century career or field of study. Learning the basics of computer science prepares students for a world that is increasingly dominated by technology. Research shows that students who study computer science also perform better at math.

Computer science is where the jobs are. More than 50% of all jobs in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are computing jobs. Some other stats:

• Computer science is one of the highest-paid college degree for new graduates.

• Computer programming jobs are growing at two times the national average -- but there aren’t enough graduates to fill these jobs.
• Nine out of 10 K-12 schools do not offer computer programming classes.
• In 35 out of 50 states, computer science does not even count toward high school graduation

Be a maker, a creator, an innovator. Get started now with an Hour of Code.

Pasadena Library - Guest View: Can computers replace a tutor?

Guest View: Can computers replace a tutor?
SGV Tribune: 11.23.2011 by Robert Lang

As a longstanding Pasadena Library volunteer, I have a bone to pick. I have chosen to do so publicly because I believe the issues involved go to the core of the "what, me worry?" attitude that is turning many of our public service employees into work-to-rule adversaries instead of the helpful civil servants we pay them to be.

A few months ago, the Pasadena Library system disbanded its group of 30-odd adult literacy tutors and replaced them with computer terminals. Disbelieving, I contacted the Pasadena Reads program coordinator and learned, not surprisingly, that the decision was budget-driven. Fair enough, I thought, we all have to deal with limited resources these days, but what if I were to volunteer my services on a 20-hour-a-week basis as the new administrator for the program? I put the offer in writing and asked that it be forwarded to the library's decision maker.

Having worked with several adult literacy students over the years, my wife and I have learned many lessons. First is the fact that men and women brave enough to do something about their illiteracy need and deserve a living, breathing teacher to provide the skills, feedback, praise and encouragement they must have to succeed. For all the good a completely computer-based literacy program will do them, they might just as well be tossed into a pit of vipers. You think you have a fear of computers? Try using one without being able to read the words in front of you.

Over the years, Pasadena Reads has had a dramatic impact on the lives of many our educational system has left behind. A shocking number of learners have completed junior high; some have high school diplomas. In less than 30 months, one student progressed from stumbling over a first-grade workbook to actively participating in a group discussions sponsored by Pasadena's One City, One Story program. Another student swelled with pride when two years of hard work paid off with a 50 per centage point improvement in his civil service test score. READ MORE !